Student takes broken mercury thermometer to school in Rockland

A state hazardous materials team was called in after a 12-year-old boy presented the broken thermometer to his science teacher at Rogers Middle School.

By Morgan True

The Enterprise, Brockton, MA

By Morgan True

Posted Sep. 21, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 21, 2013 at 9:10 PM

By Morgan True

Posted Sep. 21, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 21, 2013 at 9:10 PM

ROCKLAND

» Social News

A Rogers Middle School student brought a broken mercury thermometer to class in a plastic bag Friday morning after his two little sisters had broken it the previous night, according to the family and fire officials.

A state hazardous materials team was called in after the 12-year-old boy presented the broken thermometer to his science teacher, said Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey.

When it evaporates, mercury produces a poison that is dangerous even at low levels.

Students in the immediate area were quarantined in their classrooms until a hazardous materials team determined there were no traces of mercury in the school, Duffey said.

He praised the quick response of the seventh-grade science teacher, who immediately placed the mercury thermometer in another bag, put it in a safe place away from her students and called the Fire Department.

The boy’s house on Old Market Road was later evacuated by fire officials and the Hazmat team when unsafe levels of mercury were discovered there.

Broken mercury thermometers are the most frequent calls to which the state Hazmat teams respond, said Jennifer Mieth, spokeswoman for the state Department of Fire Services. They respond to two per month.

“The most important thing people can do is remove all mercury thermometers and thermostats from their home before they have an incident,” Mieth said.

Most boards of health or health departments operate thermometer exchanges, and many communities have hazardous waste bays where they can be deposited.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sets the permissible levels of mercury extremely low because of its toxicity, especially to children and pregnant women.

A Hazmat team will assess the mercury levels when a spill happens, and, in some cases, clean it themselves. If the mercury has spread, a private company that specializes in handling mercury is required. That was the case at the home on Old Market Road.

The state charges homeowners or whoever is deemed responsible an average of $2,500 for the cleanup. Private company rates start at $4,000, Mieth said.

The Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts responded to help the family, providing them with money for clothing, shoes and food. The family plans to stay with friends until the mess can be cleaned and they can return home.

“I didn’t even realize we had mercury thermometers in the house,” said Rebeca Portela, 15, the eldest daughter, who was home sick Friday. “I can’t believe it turned into this huge deal.”